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We have combined a neural network formalism with metaheuristic structural global search algorithms to systematically screen the Mg–Ca binary system for new (meta)stable alloys. The combination of these methods allows for an efficient exploration of the potential energy surface beyond the possibility of the traditional searches based on ab initio energy evaluations. The identified pool of low-enthalpy structures was complemented with special quasirandom structures (SQS) at different stoichiometries. In addition to the only Mg–Ca phase known to form under standard synthesis conditions, C14-Mg 2 Ca, the search has uncovered several candidate materials that could be synthesized under elevated temperatures or pressures. We show that the vibrational entropy lowers the relative free energy of several phases with magnesium kagome layers: C15 and C36 Laves structures at the 2 : 1 composition and an orthorhombic oS36 structure at the 7 : 2 composition. The estimated phase transition temperatures close to the melting point leave open the possibility of synthesizing the predicted materials at high temperatures. At high pressures up to 10 GPa, two new phases at the 1 : 1 and 3 : 1 Mg : Ca stoichiometries become thermodynamically stable and should form in multi-anvil experiments.
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Prediction of stable Li-Sn compounds: boosting ab initio searches with neural network potentials
Abstract The Li-Sn binary system has been the focus of extensive research because it features Li-rich alloys with potential applications as battery anodes. Our present re-examination of the binary system with a combination of machine learning and ab initio methods has allowed us to screen a vast configuration space and uncover a number of overlooked thermodynamically stable alloys. At ambient pressure, our evolutionary searches identified an additional stable Li3Sn phase with a large BCC-based hR48 structure and a possible high-TLiSn4ground state. By building a simple model for the observed and predicted Li-Sn BCC alloys we constructed an even larger viable hR75 structure at an exotic 19:6 stoichiometry. At 20 GPa, low-symmetry 11:2, 5:1, and 9:2 phases found with our global searches destabilize previously proposed phases with high Li content. The findings showcase the appreciable promise machine-learning interatomic potentials hold for accelerating ab initio prediction of complex materials.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1821815
- PAR ID:
- 10368212
- Publisher / Repository:
- Nature Publishing Group
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- npj Computational Materials
- Volume:
- 8
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2057-3960
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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